3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PVA vs HT soluble

Compare printing settings, strength, heat resistance, dated prices and sources.

PVA (soluble support) guideHigh-temperature support guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PVA comparisonsMore HT soluble comparisons
PVA vs HT soluble — documented properties and sources
PropertyPVA (soluble support)SUPPORTHigh-temperature supportSUPPORT
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$65.98/kg median; $42.00–$96.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$209.00/kg median; $100.00–$290.00/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPolyvinyl alcohol — a water-soluble support polymer[1][2]Break-away support compounded to survive high-temperature print chambers; 3DXTech sells separate grades for PC/ABS and for the PAEK and PEI class[3][4]
Densityg/cm³0.6–0.9 (3DXTech AquaTek, ISO 1183) and 1.13 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[1][2]1.37 (3DXTech THERMAX HTS1, ISO 1183)[3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 42–96; the middle of the market is about 66[5][6][7][8]1 kg-equivalent spools cluster near 168[5]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg42–96 across brands; IEMAI 3D E-WATER 42, YXPOLYER 55, Reli3D 66 at 500 g, Polymaker PolyDissolve S1 67 at 750 g, 3DXTech AquaTek 96 at 750 g in 1.75 mm[5][6][7][9][8]100–290 across grades; 3DXTech THERMAX MTS1 100 at 2 kg, HTS2 168 at 250 g, HTS1 250 at 500 g, IEMAI 3D HT-SP 290 at 1 kg[5][10]
Market availability1–5Stocked by most mainstream brands[5][6][7][9][8]Niche, a handful of specialist brands[5][10]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5 and 0.75 kg spools[5][6]1.75 mm; 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg and 2 kg spools[5]
Typical applicationsDissolvable support for PLA, TPU, PVB and PETG — Polymaker names those four for PolyDissolve S1[2]Support for PEEK, PEI and PC-class prints, where PVA and PLA-based supports would decompose[3][4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C215–225 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[2]Not documented
Bed temperature°C25–60 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[2]Not documented
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine[2]Actively heated chamber required — it is used inside high-temperature builds[3]
Part cooling fanPart cooling fan required (Simplify3D)[11]Not documented
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet or painter's tape[11]Not documented
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s4–12 at Polymaker's 50–150 mm/s on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[2]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Sticks to most surfaces[11]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed[11]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; PVA is unusable once it has taken up moisture[12][2]Expert / industrial hardware only[3]
Extruder requirementA second extruder or a tool changer; PVA is a support material, not a model material[2]A dual-extruder machine rated for high-temperature materials; 3DXTech states the grade is intended for dual-extruder printers designed to print high-temp materials[13]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[2]Brass fine indefinitely[3]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[2]Non-abrasive[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Very high — frequent jams without careful setup; wet PVA foams and carbonises in the nozzle[12]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns but a mandatory 120 °C pre-dry for HTS1 and 80 °C for MTS1[13][14]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5High — all-metal hotend and strong cooling needed; Simplify3D warns PVA clogs if the nozzle is left hot while not extruding[11]Not documented
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required, but the nozzle must not be parked hot[11]Not documented
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Very high (>2 %) — Polymaker measures 10.21 % equilibrium water absorption, by far the highest in the dataset[2]Not documented
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%10.21 equilibrium water absorption (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[2]Not documented
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface; with PVA this progresses to clogging[12]Not documented
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker groups PVA with nylon as the most moisture-prone class and says it often has to stay in a dryer while printing; there is no published dry-versus-conditioned strength comparison because PVA is not a structural material[12]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published; 3DXTech mandates a 120 °C, 4 h pre-dry for HTS1 and 80 °C for MTS1 because trapped water flashes to steam at these nozzle temperatures[13][14]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant at all times; PVA takes up water faster than any other filament here[12][2]Not documented
Mechanical Properties
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Poor — deforms under load at room temperature; PVA is not used structurally[1]Not documented
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Poor — fails after a few cycles[1]Not documented
Wear resistance & friction3DXTech marks tensile strength, modulus and elongation as not applicable for its PVA support grade — it is not characterised as a structural material[1]3DXTech marks tensile strength, modulus and elongation as not applicable for its support grades — they are not characterised as structural materials[3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented205 (THERMAX HTS1, printed XY, ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa)[3]
Glass transition (Tg)°C60 (3DXTech AquaTek, DSC)[1]225 (3DXTech THERMAX HTS1, DSC) — high enough to stay solid inside a PEI or PEEK build[3]
Continuous service temperature°CBounded by a glass transition of 60 °C[1]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[1]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Degrades within weeks outdoors, and dissolves in rain long before UV matters[2]Not documented
Chemical resistanceDissolves in water; unusable in any wet or humid service environment[2][11]Not documented
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Dissolves or disintegrates — by design[2][1]Not documented
Food contactNot offered as a food-contact material[1]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityPVA is water-soluble and biodegrades in wastewater treatment, but Simplify3D notes disposal should follow local guidance[11]Not documented
RecyclabilityDissolved PVA goes to drain rather than to recycling[11]Not documented
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10^13 ohm/sq (ASTM D257, 3DXTech AquaTek PVA)[1]Surface resistance above 10^13 ohm/sq on all three THERMAX support grades (ASTM D257) — insulating[3][15][4]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; none of these materials was in the chamber study[16]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; none of these materials was in the chamber study[16]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[16]Open a window / occasional ventilation[16]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningNot sanded — it is dissolved away rather than finished[11]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingNot applicable — PVA is a sacrificial support[11]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingWater is the solvent; no vapour smoothing is used[2]Not documented
Support material pairingThis is the support material; Polymaker pairs PolyDissolve S1 with PLA, TPU, PVB and PETG[2]This is the support material. MTS1 is matched to PC/ABS and PC; HTS1 and HTS2 to the higher-temperature classes[4][3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inWater — tap water works cold, warm moving water is faster; 6–12 h typical, changing the water every few hours.[17][18]Aqueous alkali, not water: IEMAI specifies an alkaline bath in an ultrasonic cleaner until the support dissolves.[10]
Softened or crazed byNothing else: polyvinyl alcohol resists organic solvents, so an IPA or acetone rinse leaves the support intact.[19]Not documented
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — water dissolves PVA rather than welding it, and no solvent gives it a smoothed surface.[17]None — the alkaline bath dissolves the support rather than welding anything.[10]

Material entries describe families or representative grades, not an interchangeable specification for every spool. Test methods, orientations and conditions may differ. Unknown values are marked “Not documented”. Prices and source dates remain historical snapshots; check the linked guide for product details. Differences highlight text, not a universal winner.

Sources for this comparison

  1. AquaTek PVA Water Soluble Support Technical Data Sheet v1.0 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  2. PolyDissolve S1 Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  3. THERMAX HTS1 Break Away Support Technical Data Sheet v1.0 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  4. THERMAX MTS1 Break Away Support Technical Data Sheet v1.0 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  5. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. YXPOLYER PVA 1 kg — product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. IEMAI 3D E-WATER water-soluble support filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Reli3D PVA Filament 1.75 mm 500 g Natural — Amazon listing Amazon.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. IEMAI 3D HT-SP alkaline-soluble support filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. PVA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  12. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  13. THERMAX HTS1 — product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. THERMAX MTS1 — product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. THERMAX HTS2 Break Away Support Technical Data Sheet v1.0 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  16. Emissions of Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds from Commercially Available Desktop Three-Dimensional Printers with Multiple Filaments (Azimi et al.) Environmental Science & Technology 50(3) 1260-1268 · 2016-01 · paper
  17. PolyDissolve S1 — Polymaker Wiki Polymaker · 2026-08 · doc
  18. 3DXTech AquaTek PVA product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. Polyvinyl alcohol — KURARAY POVAL application guide Kuraray · 2026-08 · tds